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Dr. Peter Attia On The Philosophy and Quality Of Life (Part 1)

The Daily Stoic

Fri Oct 20 2023



Dr. Peter Attia On The Philosophy and Quality Of Life (Part 1):

  • Dr. Peter Attia is a medical practitioner focused on lengthening lifespan and improving health span through his practice, Early Medical.
  • He has a medical degree from Stanford University School of Medicine and trained at Johns Hopkins Hospital in general surgery.
  • Dr. Attia has also worked at the National Institutes of Health as a surgical oncology fellow at the National Cancer Institute.
  • Ryan Holiday introduces Dr. Peter Attia as an expert in longevity who has connections to influential figures and is highly regarded in his field.
  • The interview was conducted remotely due to scheduling conflicts during the pandemic, but they have known each other for several years.
  • Dr. Attia's book "Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity" has been well-received and praised by Oprah Winfrey among others.

Morning Routine:

  • Dr. Attia follows a routine that includes archery, working out, and going for walks in the morning before starting work.
  • He finds value in having a structured routine, especially when he is working on a book or focused on specific projects.
  • However, he acknowledges that being too rigid with routines can sometimes cause unnecessary stress if things don't go exactly as planned.

Exercise vs Rocking:

  • Dr. Attia differentiates between exercise and rocking, viewing rocking as more of a mental health exercise rather than purely physical exercise.
  • While he maintains consistency with his morning workouts, he allows more flexibility with rocking depending on external factors such as company or changes in schedule.

Benefits of Being Outdoors:

  • Both Ryan Holiday and Dr. Attia emphasize the benefits of spending time outdoors and connecting with nature.
  • They discuss how modern society's emphasis on symmetry and right angles may be disconnected from our evolutionary roots, which were shaped by asymmetry and natural environments.
  • Being outside provides an opportunity to enhance senses like sight, sound, and smell, as well as to experience the asymmetry and natural beauty of the world.

Hunting and Increased Awareness:

  • Dr. Attia shares his experiences with hunting and how it heightens his senses.
  • He notes that initially, his ability to see, hear, and smell things is not as sharp when he starts a hunt.
  • However, after spending time in nature and being attuned to the environment, his senses become more heightened.
  • This increased awareness allows him to better focus on the present moment and be fully engaged in the hunting experience.

Closed-loop Process in Archery:

  • Dr. Attia discusses the concept of closed-loop processes in archery.
  • A closed-loop process involves focusing on each step of shooting an arrow slowly enough that you can stop at any moment.
  • By shifting focus from aiming to the process itself, it becomes easier to calm oneself down and improve accuracy.
  • Closed-loop thinking is particularly important in archery because distractions or target panic can negatively impact performance.

Writing Challenges:

  • Ryan Holiday asks Dr. Attia about his writing challenges while working on his book.
  • Dr. Attia acknowledges struggling with perfectionism and finding it difficult to recognize when something was good enough.
  • He credits Bill Gifford, his co-author, for providing validation during those moments when he couldn't see the quality of their work himself.
  • Over time, Dr. Attia has learned to embrace imperfections and appreciate what is already good rather than fixating on minor flaws.

Reframing Success:

  • Both Ryan Holiday and Dr. Attia discuss reframing success in relation to hunting experiences.
  • Instead of solely defining success as killing an animal, they highlight other valuable aspects such as connecting with nature or enhancing sensory experiences.
  • Reframing success allows them to find fulfillment even if they don't achieve their initial goal.

Struggles with Authenticity:

  • Dr. Attia shares his struggle with authenticity and writing about emotional health.
  • He felt conflicted because he didn't feel qualified to write about emotional well-being due to his own struggles in that area.
  • Eventually, he found a way to address the topic by sharing his personal experiences and lessons learned, offering hope and relatability to readers.

Breakdown vs Breakthrough:

  • Dr. Attia describes how he reached a breaking point during the book-writing process when facing threats from his publisher and agent.
  • Initially, it seemed like an opportunity to escape the pressure of writing the book and avoid addressing his own issues.
  • However, this breakdown eventually led him to confront his perfectionism and seek help, resulting in a breakthrough for both himself and the book.

Perfectionism Challenges:

  • Ryan Holiday highlights the challenges of perfectionism, particularly when it becomes an addiction or obsession.
  • Perfectionism can lead to external success but also cause misery as individuals become trapped in their need for achievement and validation.
  • The pursuit of perfection often results in unrealistic expectations, self-loathing, and difficulty finding joy outside of accomplishments.